How to do good to many, or, The public good is the Christians life…How to do good to many, or, The publick good is the Christians life…

Woe to that man who abuseth and oppresseth the Just and Faithful in the Name of God, and by pretence of Authority from him to do it. Woe to him that in Gods Name, and as by his Authority countenanceth the wicked whom God abhorreth, and ⟨p. 37⟩under Christs banner fighteth against him. As Christ saith of the Offensive: It were good for that man, that he had never been born, Prov. 24. 24. He that saith to the wicked, thou art righteous, him shall the people Curse; Nations shall abhor him, Prov. 17. 15. He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, even they both are an abomination to the Lord.

Wo to that man who abuseth and oppresseth the Just and Faithful in the Name of God, and by pretence of Authority from him to do it. Wo to him that in Gods Name, and as by his Authority countenanceth the wicked whom God abhorreth, and ⟨p. 37⟩under Christs banner fighteth against him. As Christ saith of the Offensive: It were good for that man, that he had never been born, Prov. 24. 24. He that saith to the wicked, thou art righteous, him shall the people Curse; Nations shall abhor him, Prov. 17. 15. He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, even they both are an abomination to the Lord.

God looketh for great service from great men: Great Trust and Talents must have great account: A Prince, a Lord, a Ruler, must do much more good, in promoting Piety, Conscience, Virtue, than the best inferiors; To whom men give much, from them they expect the more. It greatly concerneth such men seriously to ask their Conscience, can I do no more to encourage Godliness, Conscience and Justice, and to disgrace Malignity, brutish sensuality, and fleshly lusts, than I have done? O when they must hear, give account of thy Stewardship, thou shalt be no longer Steward, little think many Rulers what an account it is that will be required of them! O what a deal of good may the Rulers of the earth, do if instead of overminding their partial Interests, and serving the desires of the flesh, they did but set themselves with study and resolution to promote the common good, by disgracing sin, and encouraging Wisdom, Piety and Peace! And where this is not sincerely done, as surely as there is a righteous God and a future Judgment, they shall pay for their omissive treachery. And if Satan do prevail to set his own Captains over the Armies of the Lord, to betray them to perdition, they shall be deepest in misery as they were in guilt. One would think the great delight that is to be found in doing good to all, should much more draw men to desire Authority and greatness, than either riches, or voluptuousness, or a domineering desire that all men should fulfil their Wills.